Creative Arts / Ealaíona Chruthaitheach

Everyday Celtic Spirituality – Advent and Christmas

Come and get acquainted with the Carmina Gadelica (Latin, “Gaelic Songs”), an extraordinary collection of Celtic prayers, hymns, charms and rituals for everyday activities like lighting the morning fire, milking the cow, traveling, plowing or going to sleep. They were collected by Scotsman Alexander Carmichael in the 19th century while traveling through the isolated communities in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and show many connections to older and ongoing features of Celtic Christianity.

Come be inspired by this world where God is invited into everyday activities and the Saints and Angels are our companions, bringing joy and significance to the smallest action; where spirituality is not about adding one more thing to our list but recognizing and welcoming God’s presence wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Due to the date of this class, we will give particular attention to selections for Advent and Christmas from the Carmina Gadelica.

1 Session. 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 4. Class fee: $30 at the door on Dec 4; $27 if you email the instructor to pre-register. Online payment reflects the discounted rate; we ask that you still email to confirm.

Drawing Celtic Mythology

Learn how the haunting and magical gods, goddesses, heroes, magicians, and landscapes of the Celtic realms can be given creative expression and re-interpretation in a class for beginners, returning students who have taken the class before, and enthusiasts at all levels. The principles of formal composition and color theory will be applied to this inspirational mythic and iconic imagery.

Note: students should bring paper, or a drawing notebook and preferred drawing materials (pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers, etc.) Due to the delicate nature of the library, paint, charcoal, and pastels are not permitted.

4 Sessions. 8:00-9:30 p.m. Thursday September 26, October 3,10, and 17. Class fee: $120 at the door on Sept. 26; $108 if you email the instructor to pre-register. Online payment reflects the discounted rate; we ask that you still email to confirm. There will also be a booklet of assignments for $10 at the first class.

Celtic Heroes and Living Mythically

In the company of the extraordinary writing of Joseph Campbell, we take a six-week journey with mythic heroes to understand life’s adventure and our life journey today. Beginning with universal mythic archetypes (persons) and the hero’s quest from around the world, we will pay particular attention to Celtic tales.

Required class text: Joseph Campbell The Hero with a Thousand Faces. [First published 1949; any edition].

6 sessions. Saturday 2:00-3:30 p.m. September 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 9 [No class Nov 2] . Class fee: $120 at the door on Sept. 28; $108 if you email the instructor to pre-register. Online payment reflects the discounted rate; we ask that you still email to confirm.

Ten Tunes to Rule Them All, The Celtic Music Diaspora

The diffusion of Celtic traditional music was an epic journey. This research-based survey course tells the tale in terms of 10 (or so) classic tunes and songs that crossed the Atlantic and came to “rule” regional repertories across North America. Images, videos, recordings and live performances help tell the story. Musicians and non- musicians alike should enjoy this seminar.

5 sessions.Thursdays. 6:30-8pm. November 14, 21, [no class Nov 28], December 5, 12, and 19. $100 at the door on Nov 14th; $90 if you email the instructor to pre-register. Online payment reflects the discounted rate; we ask that you still email to confirm.